27th MARCH ~ HISTORY ON THIS DAY

March 27th ~ This Day in History video by History.com ~ 1998: FDA approved Viagra: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of the drug Viagra, an oral medication that treats impotence, on the 27th March 1998. Sildenafil is the chemical name for Viagra, the artificial compound that was originally synthesized and studied to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and angina pectoris (a form of cardiovascular disease). Chemists at the Pfizer pharmaceutical company found the drug had little effect on angina, and could induce penile erections, within 30 to 60 minutes. Pfizer saw the economic opportunity in such a biochemical effect, and decided to market the drug for impotence. Sildenafil was patented in 1996, and two years later it was approved by the FDA for use in treating “erectile dysfunction,” the new clinical name for impotence. It is believed the drug was invented by Peter Dunn and Albert Wood. | & more about history on this day in the video…